Celje Secures 2-0 Victory Over Ararat-Armenia in UEFA Champions League

Celje 2-0 Ararat-Armenia at Arena Z’dezele keeps the Slovenians in control of their UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round tie after a tense, tactical contest that was only broken open in the final 10 minutes. Late goals from substitutes Yaya Dukuly and Benjamin Verbič rewarded Celje’s territorial pressure and depth, while Ararat-Armenia left Celje ruing a largely disciplined defensive display that ultimately cracked under sustained second-half pressure. With no league standings data attached to this fixture, the significance sits squarely in the continental context: Celje take a clear advantage into the return leg, while Ararat-Armenia must now chase the tie at home.

Match Report

The game opened with both sides cautious, but Ararat-Armenia’s midfield aggression quickly drew the referee’s attention. In the 19th minute Ararat-Armenia collected two bookings in quick succession: first, 19' A. Tera (Ararat-Armenia) — yellow card (Foul), followed immediately by 19' H. Oliveira (Ararat-Armenia) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct). Those early cautions set the tone for a physical first half in which Celje probed without finding a breakthrough.

Celje’s left-back Leonardo Koutris then went into the book on 32' L. Koutris (Celje) — yellow card (Tripping), but the more telling moment involving him came after the interval. At half-time, coach Vitor Campelos adjusted his left flank: 46' B. Verbič replaced L. Koutris (Celje), pushing an extra attacking profile onto that side and signalling Celje’s intent to tilt the game in their favour.

Ararat-Armenia responded with their own structural tweak in midfield on 55' B. Benny replaced A. Tera (Ararat-Armenia), removing an already-booked holding midfielder in favour of fresh legs. The match remained finely poised, but Celje’s aggression without the ball began to show in the card count. On 64' A. Tutyskinas (Celje) — yellow card (Tripping) and 66' M. Avdyli (Celje) — yellow card (Holding) underlined how often Celje were stepping high to disrupt transitions.

Campelos then turned to his bench decisively in the 69th minute, and these moves would later prove pivotal. First, 69' Y. Dukuly replaced P. Sirvys (Celje), injecting direct running on the flank. Moments later, 69' M. Poplatnik replaced A. Kucys (Celje), adding a more orthodox centre-forward profile to pin Ararat-Armenia’s back line.

Ararat-Armenia made a double substitution of their own in the 73rd minute, trying to regain control of midfield and add creativity. At 73' M. Carlier replaced H. Oliveira (Ararat-Armenia), removing a booked defender, and 73' Franca Carlos replaced A. Serobyan (Ararat-Armenia), a like-for-like switch in advanced midfield intended to freshen their attacking phases.

The fouls continued to mount for Celje as they pressed aggressively. On 78' M. Zabukovnik (Celje) — yellow card (Foul) added another caution to the hosts’ tally, but Celje’s risk-taking was increasingly being rewarded with territory and set-pieces.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 83rd minute, and it came from the bench. 83' Celje goal — Y. Dukuly (assisted by M. Avdyli). Dukuly, introduced just after the hour, finished a move created by fellow substitute Avdyli, whose earlier booking had not deterred him from driving into advanced areas. The goal reflected Celje’s growing dominance in wide areas and their superior use of substitutions.

Ararat-Armenia’s frustration surfaced almost immediately. On 84' Z. Banjaqui (Ararat-Armenia) — yellow card (Foul) as they tried to press higher in search of an equaliser, leaving more space for Celje to exploit. Within a minute, Celje doubled their lead: 85' Celje goal — B. Verbič (unassisted). The winger, introduced at half-time, capitalised on Ararat-Armenia’s disorganisation in transition with a solo effort that effectively killed the contest.

Verbič’s intensity then tipped over as he celebrated and contested decisions; 86' B. Verbič (Celje) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) was a small blemish on an otherwise game-changing cameo.

In the closing stages, Ararat-Armenia used their remaining substitutions to chase a lifeline. At 89' A. Ndour replaced Z. Banjaqui (Ararat-Armenia), adding fresh attacking impetus on the flank. Then 90' J. A. Balanta replaced K. Muradyan (Ararat-Armenia), a further attempt to add creativity from midfield.

Celje, meanwhile, made a final defensive adjustment in stoppage time to see out the result. At 90+1' I. Calusic replaced S. Seslar (Celje), shoring up the central areas and ensuring the 2-0 scoreline remained intact to the final whistle.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

xG: not available vs not available
Possession: 50% vs 50%
Shots on Target: 8 vs 3
Goalkeeper Saves: not available vs not available
Blocked Shots: 7 vs 4

With possession perfectly balanced at 50%-50%, the difference lay in shot quality and volume in the final third. Celje produced more than double the shots on target (8 vs 3) and significantly more blocked efforts (7 vs 4), illustrating how often they were able to work the ball into shooting positions around and inside the box. Ararat-Armenia’s three efforts on target suggest a conservative, counter-attacking approach that rarely turned territory into sustained pressure. In that context, a 2-0 home win aligns with the pattern of chances created: Celje were consistently the more threatening side, and their late goals simply brought the scoreline into line with the balance of opportunities.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

There is no league standings data attached to this fixture, so the impact is best read through the Champions League qualifying lens. Celje’s 2-0 home win gives them a strong platform in this 3rd Qualifying Round tie, effectively forcing Ararat-Armenia to score at least twice in the return leg to have any realistic chance of progressing. For Celje, the margin offers tactical flexibility away from home, allowing them to manage the second leg with a more controlled, compact approach. For Ararat-Armenia, the defeat shifts their seasonal narrative in Europe from cautious containment to urgent, front-foot football in the decider.

Lineups & Personnel

Celje Starting XI

GK: Žan-Luk Leban
DF: Pijus Širvys, Artemijus Tutyškinas, Leonardo Koutris
MF: Darko Hrka, Mario Kvesić, Mark Zabukovnik, Svit Sešlar, Matic Ivanšek, Milot Avdyli
FW: Armandas Kučys

Ararat-Armenia Starting XI

GK: João Bravim
DF: Junior Julio, Bruno Wilson, Alexandros Malis, Edgar Grigoryan, Hugo Oliveira
MF: Karen Muradyan, Alwyn Tera, Artur Serobyan, Zidane Banjaqui
FW: Sandro Lima

Post-Match Verdict

Celje’s win was a clinical performance in the final third (8 shots on target to 3), built on patient pressure rather than overwhelming dominance in possession. Campelos’ use of the bench was decisive: substitutes Dukuly and Verbič not only scored both goals but also changed the tempo and directness of Celje’s attacks. Defensively, Celje were aggressive and at times vulnerable in discipline (five yellow cards), yet they largely restricted Ararat-Armenia to low-volume, manageable efforts on goal.

For Ararat-Armenia, this was a controlled but ultimately blunt display. Their back line coped reasonably well for 80 minutes, but the side lacked attacking thrust (only 3 shots on target and 4 blocked shots despite 50% possession and nine corners). Once they were forced to chase the game after 83 minutes, structural gaps appeared and Celje ruthlessly exploited them. Going into the second leg, Ararat-Armenia must convert their organised defensive base into a more proactive attacking plan if they are to overturn a deserved 2-0 deficit.